thedrifter
03-03-04, 06:08 AM
Tanks Light Up Georgia
Submitted by: Headquarters Marine Corps
Story Identification Number: 20043191927
Story by 1stLt Kate S. Vanden Bossche
VASIANI, Georgia(March 1, 2004) -- An intermingling of “Tsetskli, tsetskli, tsetsklli!” and, “Fire in the hole!” could be heard throughout the Vasiani Training Area as Georgian soldiers and Marine instructors test-fired nine T-72 main battle tanks and ten armored personnel carriers last week during the first mechanized live fire in Georgia since 1999.
Nearly 100 Georgian soldiers, under the instruction of seven Georgia Train and Equip Marine Corps tankers and amtrackers, lanyard fired the compliment of the Georgian Army’s tanks and BMP’s to safely test the recoil system and firing mechanisms.
“The Marine Corps lanyard fires all tanks that have no previous recorded firing history,” said Staff Sgt. Timothy Grier, an MIAI tank mechanic. The Georgians had no verifiable firing history for their mechanized assets explained Grier.
“We had to safely ensure that the recoil systems were functioning properly,” he said.
The lanyard fire was conducted by attaching a rope to the manual firing mechanism inside the turret; the crew then stood behind the tank and yanked the rope to engage the trigger. After each 125mm tank main gun and 73mm BMP main gun was tested, the crews also tested the other weapon systems aboard each vehicle.
“This training was important because it verified that the tanks will be safe to train on during this cycle,” stated Grier. “This training was also the first time during the training phase that we had a chance to really work with the Georgian tankers and see what they could do,” he said.
“The last time tanks were fired here was in 1999 during a training exercise at the Krtsanisi Training Base,” said Lt. Col. Nodar Kvilitaia, the tank/ mechanized company executive officer. “This training was important because it gave the personnel a chance to see how these tanks work and fire,” he said.
Both the Marine trainers and Georgians believed that their first training experience with the Russian weapons systems was a success.
“Of course it was,” said Kvilitaia. Grier consented, stating, “Last week’s shoot was successful and safely conducted.”
The mechanized training Georgian soldiers received before Task Force GTEP arrived had been based on Russian doctrine. The Marines are teaching the Georgians the importance of combined arms warfare and the important role mechanized assets play.
“Their success will hinge on a well-balanced, well-trained and flexible combined arms team,” said Grier.
Though the Georgians are still learning about the Marine Corps’ use of combined arms they understand the importance of mechanized assets within their military.
“The infantry cannot fight without mech support,” said Kvilitaia. “It gives the infantry hope that someone is behind them supporting them.”
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/20043194450/$file/Tank-Firing-web.jpg
Georgian tankers yank the lanyard on a T-72 main battle tank at the Vasiani Training Range. Photo by: 1stLt Kate S. Vanden Bossche
Sempers,
Roger
:marine:
Submitted by: Headquarters Marine Corps
Story Identification Number: 20043191927
Story by 1stLt Kate S. Vanden Bossche
VASIANI, Georgia(March 1, 2004) -- An intermingling of “Tsetskli, tsetskli, tsetsklli!” and, “Fire in the hole!” could be heard throughout the Vasiani Training Area as Georgian soldiers and Marine instructors test-fired nine T-72 main battle tanks and ten armored personnel carriers last week during the first mechanized live fire in Georgia since 1999.
Nearly 100 Georgian soldiers, under the instruction of seven Georgia Train and Equip Marine Corps tankers and amtrackers, lanyard fired the compliment of the Georgian Army’s tanks and BMP’s to safely test the recoil system and firing mechanisms.
“The Marine Corps lanyard fires all tanks that have no previous recorded firing history,” said Staff Sgt. Timothy Grier, an MIAI tank mechanic. The Georgians had no verifiable firing history for their mechanized assets explained Grier.
“We had to safely ensure that the recoil systems were functioning properly,” he said.
The lanyard fire was conducted by attaching a rope to the manual firing mechanism inside the turret; the crew then stood behind the tank and yanked the rope to engage the trigger. After each 125mm tank main gun and 73mm BMP main gun was tested, the crews also tested the other weapon systems aboard each vehicle.
“This training was important because it verified that the tanks will be safe to train on during this cycle,” stated Grier. “This training was also the first time during the training phase that we had a chance to really work with the Georgian tankers and see what they could do,” he said.
“The last time tanks were fired here was in 1999 during a training exercise at the Krtsanisi Training Base,” said Lt. Col. Nodar Kvilitaia, the tank/ mechanized company executive officer. “This training was important because it gave the personnel a chance to see how these tanks work and fire,” he said.
Both the Marine trainers and Georgians believed that their first training experience with the Russian weapons systems was a success.
“Of course it was,” said Kvilitaia. Grier consented, stating, “Last week’s shoot was successful and safely conducted.”
The mechanized training Georgian soldiers received before Task Force GTEP arrived had been based on Russian doctrine. The Marines are teaching the Georgians the importance of combined arms warfare and the important role mechanized assets play.
“Their success will hinge on a well-balanced, well-trained and flexible combined arms team,” said Grier.
Though the Georgians are still learning about the Marine Corps’ use of combined arms they understand the importance of mechanized assets within their military.
“The infantry cannot fight without mech support,” said Kvilitaia. “It gives the infantry hope that someone is behind them supporting them.”
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/20043194450/$file/Tank-Firing-web.jpg
Georgian tankers yank the lanyard on a T-72 main battle tank at the Vasiani Training Range. Photo by: 1stLt Kate S. Vanden Bossche
Sempers,
Roger
:marine: